Murali Vijay retires from all forms of international cricket aged 38; see his career highlights
Former India opener Murali Vijay has called time on all forms of international cricket. Murali Vijay, 38, retires after a prolific decade-long journey in Blue jersey. He said that he’ll explore “new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it“.
“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in new and different environments,” 38-year-old Vijay said in a statement. “I believe this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to the new chapter in my life.”
Vijay further thanked his family and friends for their unconditional love and support throughout his career.
End of a decade-long journey for Murali Vijay
Vijay played 61 Tests, 17 ODIs and nine T20Is in an international career that began in 2008 when he replaced Gautam Gambhir in India’s XI for the final Test of the 2008-09 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur. He last turned out for India in the Perth Test in December 2018, and last played first-class and List A cricket, for Tamil Nadu, in late 2019. His last appearance in professional cricket was in the IPL, in September 2020.
A classical Test opener, who, when at his peak, had a solid technique and immense patience against the new ball – his ability to leave the ball earned him great praise during India’s tour of England in 2014 – Vijay finished with 3982 Test runs in 105 innings at an average of 38.28. He made 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a best of 167 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2013.
Once a regular Test opener for India, Vijay had fallen out of favour after a string of poor knocks in the 2018 season. After scoring just a single Test century against Afghanistan in Bangalore, the Indian team management decided to drop Vijay after the second Test match in Australia.
Where can his fans see him now?
Not long ago, in fact, he had hinted at playing outside India. “I am almost done with BCCI and am looking for opportunities abroad,” Vijay had told former India batter WV Raman on Wednesdays With WV, a weekly show on Sportstar. “After 30 in India, it’s a taboo. I think people see us as 80-year-olds walking on street.
“The media should also address it differently. I feel you are peaking in your 30s. Sitting here right now, I feel I can bat the best way I can. But, unfortunately, the opportunities were less, and I had to search for chances outside. I honestly feel as a person, you can only do what’s in your hand. You can’t control the uncontrollable. Whatever happened, happened.”
While he hasn’t said if he would be pursuing opportunities in T20 leagues around the world, Vijay’s retirement note didn’t make a mention of retirement from anything apart from international cricket.
Also read: ‘Almost done with BCCI’: Murali Vijay slamms BCCI for lack of opportunities
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